Pre-season newsletter 2006-02-23

Eager to get back on the track...
Prema driver line-up now complete
Though it may have been the last team to confirm their entry into the
World Series Formula Renault 3.5, Prema Power Team is nevertheless the
first team to announce its driver ...

Eager to get back on the track...

Prema driver line-up now complete
Though it may have been the last team to confirm their entry into the
World Series Formula Renault 3.5, Prema Power Team is nevertheless the
first team to announce its driver line-up for 2006. Belgian driver Greg
Franchi will be joined by Christian Montanari. The San Marino driver won
the race in Monaco last year with Draco Racing.

Changes to the Formula Renault 3.5 car
Several improvements are to be made to the Formula Renault 3.5 car for
the 2006 season. The steering wheel (now fitted with a second clutch
paddle control), brake-cooling air intakes, shock absorbers, engine oil
radiator and engine mapping have all been improved. On the aerodynamics
front, skirts will be prohibited in order to limit the influence of
aerodynamics on race car set-up.

Mondini switches to F1
After testing with Renault F1 Team in December, the winner of the 2004
Eurocup Formula Renault V6 has joined the Midland F1 team as its test
driver. The Italian Swiss driver will most notably find himself alongside
Markus Winkelhock. Giorgio is the third World Series driver to make the
move up to motorsport's top category.

No waiting game at Oregon
Before the list of entries for the Eurocup Megane Trophy has even been
published -- this is scheduled to happen in just a few days time --
Oregon Team has announced that Italian F3 champion Luigi Ferrara will be
racing for the team in 2006!

Megane Trophy tests for the Clio Cup winners
Respective winners of the Clio Cup in Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain
and Switzerland, Christian Ott, Jonathan Adam, Jose Miguel Larios
Venezuela and Fred Yerly will all get the chance to test drive a Megane
Trophy on February 27 at the Magny Cours circuit.

Preparations underway at Zolder
The Zolder track, venue for the 2006 season's curtain-raiser, is
currently the scene of some impressive building work, all with a view to
improving safety at the circuit. Run-off areas are being widened, signs
are being made more visible and concrete walls are being replaced by
railings: nothing is being left to chance!

Change of date for Barcelona
Initially scheduled for October 20-22, the Barcelona meeting has been put
back by a week at the request of the Spanish motorsport federation. The
event at the Catalonian track will bring the season to an end on October
27-29. The World Series by Renault race calendar will be finalized
subsequent to the FIA World Council meeting on March 22.